02/22/08 Value added producer grants

Marketing grants through USDA are available to Idaho producers but they have to apply by March 31st. Idaho's Value Added Producer Grant Coordinator Randy Wheatley says this value added grant program was set up under the 2002 farm bill and it helps producers improve sales. WHEATLEY "To help them, one with the feasibility to say hey is that going to be feasible for us to get into that value added type of operation. Two if we do what's our business plan going forward in it and three how are we going to market our product or commodity once we get involved in it." Last year Idaho ranked eighth in the nation in the number of projects that were funded. Wheatley and others at Rural Development can help producers tell their story in the application process. WHEATLEY "Its really a narrative type of application form talking of their current operation, where they're at and what they're looking to do with the value added producer grant as it would aid them as they go forward." Again the deadline to apply for the Rural Development value added grants is March 31st. Wheatley can be reached in Twin Falls at 734-1324, extension 121. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott